Belt system opinion?

Question

I personally think having a belt system is great, but do you think the problem lies within the fact that many Martial Arts schools within styles have less of an emphasis on the discretion of the instructor (And how the techniques flow and, apply with the student), than the ability for the student to memorize the criteria?
Example
Capoeira, for instance, takes much longer for promotion (There's usually only one period per year for promotion [The first belt can take up to two years to get]. There's moves you have to know, and over time you build up history of the art, the ability to play instruments, sing some of the songs, and more. The test, however, is usually a roda where you recieve your nickname, and new corda. After a few belts, the test is how you apply what you know into your own thing. All of this is almost exclusively based around the discretion of the instructor.

What do you think of my opinion? What is your opinion of the concept of belt systems?

Answer 1

The Belt system in and of itself is good. It is a way to give students a tangable goal to shoot for and if used correctly can give an accurete rank of someones skill level.

But the three biggest Problems with The Belt system are people who set a specific amount of time it takes to get a belt,setting a specific test to get a belt,and just plain having to many belts.

You should never hear that if you train for so and so amount of time that you will move to a higher belt ranking. It should all depend on the person. There should be a set amount of knowlage and skill needed to get to a higher belt but never a set amount of time. At my school we have people who have been training for 18 months and are still white belts and we have others who started the same time and take the same amount of classes and they are now Brown Belts.

While I did say there should be a set amount of knowlage and skill to move to another belt There should NOT be a set test. Everyone should have to take a different test and in some case someone might not even need to test(using the example above the guys who are white belts now and have been for 18 months most likely will not be tested to move to blue. They have trained long enough that when they are seen to have the skill needed they will just be moved up. The people who moved up quicker did need to be tested to make double sure they had the knowlage nessacary)

The other big problem is there are to many belts. We go by the Jiu Jitsu and Judo system and I believe it is the best. White to Blue to Purple to Brown to Black. If you want another break you can have a Yellow belt between White and Blue or have a blue with a Stripe but thats IT. Above that and your really just doing it to make your students pay to get that new belt.

If done correctly the belt system can be a good thing. But few places truely do it correctly.

Answer 2

The belt rank system is a great built in goal system and motivator for students. I have seen many students work very hard and develop their skills, ability, and understanding to an ever higher level for a different color belt.

Unfortunately the martial arts has become very watered down with respect to belt rank, promotions, and the term black belt. At those schools where instructors only studied for a few years before acquiring their first degree black belt and test almost every year afterwords for another it becomes even more watered down for the students-much like a trickle down affect.

At a good school with good instructors and high standards you see a difference between the skill, ability, confidence, and attitude of a white belt, green belt, brown belt and black belt and the quality with which they execute their skills. If that difference is not clearly evident then you probably are looking at a school and instructor like I mentioned in the second paragraph.

There is one other positive aspect to this and that is that even at what I call a sub par school if it and martial arts motivates that person to go further in school, accomplish more with their life, be more disciplined, and improves their health then it still counts for some measure of success.

Answer 3

the belt system is a disgrace.. I have studied traditional southern Chinese Lung Ying Kung fu for years and the concept of grading and belts is laughable

belts breed jealousy end envy ( especially between younger students) and in adults, people think that a black belt is the be all and end all of martial arts training ( whatever style or system)
people with black belts can have a tendency to be egotistical and think they are invincible..

some kick boxing schools for example will allow to to do your grading , anytime there is one scheduled or if you have the money
I have often heard of people becoming black belts within a year... my sifu for example has studied for 20 years and still admits that he has lots to learn
when I began teaching kids kung fu, I was told that everyone is on a level playing field, and even though from seeing first hand that some were more natural than others or picked it up easier or were more powerful or fluid in their movements.. they all looked out for each other and built up better bonds between them
if they had been all different belts, the class would have been a nightmare, with someone asking to be moved onto higher grades every 5 minutes

Answer 4

Some how any instructor would want to help their student get the best out of martial arts. So by using the belt system they are helping the student do more than just earn a belt they are helping them with their confidence and kw\knowledge.

With me I am able to earn a point for going to class and getting a stripe on my belt. Its easier to know what your goal is in my school. And it also helps the students know what they want in Tae Kwon do

Answer 5

Personally, if I had my way, I would give up strict grading tests and be promoted informally, in class, with no fuss/bother/dreadful nerves (which are my downfall).
Yes, fair enough, tests can be good for you but personally I HATE gradings. I also dislike the fact that you have to pay for them even if you fail. Okay, I haven't failed YET but I'm already dreading my next 2nd kyu grading even though it's months away.
Why can't we just be graded while doing ordinary training?
At least in Iaido there is no emphasis on gradings, in fact, I've been practising for over a year and am happily ungraded but loving it!
Thanks for letting me add my '2 cents' worth.

Answer 6

LIke what Bruce Lee said. "Their only good to hold your pants up!"